The History of Polk County, Iowa/Hahnen, J. F.

Hahnen, J. F. was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, August 5, 1838, and in 1854 emigrated to this country with his mother, settling near Lafayette, Indiana. Three years later he came to this State, and crossed the Des Moines river on a pontoon bridge in the fall of 1857, and since that time he has resided here. On the 1st of September, 1861, he enlisted in the Second cavalry, then in the State service, and served until the time he enlisted in the United States service, March 8, 1864, in company D, Second Iowa cavalry. Was mustered out at Selma, Alabama, September 19, 1865. Was commissioned corporal and acting sergeant. He participated in about forty-five battles, among which were New Madrid, Island No. 10, Iuka, Corinth, Okalona, West Point (where he was wounded) and Grenada, besides many important and severe engagements. He always followed farming as his occupation until after the war, when he engaged in his, present business, that of a saloon proprietor. Has been a member of the police force of this city. He was married in 1866, to Miss Caroline Zelle, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have six sons and one daughter: Louis H., Jacob F., George F., Carl A., Willie, Arthur and Caroline Augusta.